HONG KONG -- As winds generated by Typhoon Vicente lashes through the city, the Hong Kong Observatory has raised the Tropical Cyclone alert to the highest level of Hurricane Signal No. 10. The move was made at around 12:45 a.m. (local time) on Tuesday. The highest level means that winds packing mean speeds of 118 kph or more is expected. As of 1:00 a.m. (local time), the eye of Typhoon Vicente was spotted approximately 100 km southwest of the Hong Kong Observatory and is expected to initially travel northwest at about 20 kph towards the west of the Pearl River Estuary. Later, the typhoon will travel west-northwestwards. Vicente's eyewall will come close to the southwestern part of the city, bringing with it hurricane force winds. All residents have been notified to avoid going outside their homes as much as possible. Over the past hour, authorities recorded maximum sustained winds at Tate's Cairn, Cheung Chau Beach and Waglan Island were 117, 127 and 108 kph respectively. Quary Bay is expected to register high water level of approximately three meters above chart data between midnight and 3:00 a.m. (local time).